Careers · Explore one path
Survey Researchers
Plan, develop, or conduct surveys. May analyze and interpret the meaning of survey data, determine survey objectives, or suggest or test question wording. Includes social scientists who primarily design questionnaires or supervise survey teams.
Other titles employers use
Data Analyst · Market Survey Representative · Research Associate · Research Fellow · Research Interviewer · Research Scientist · Survey Methodologist · Survey Researcher
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Conduct surveys and collect data, using methods such as interviews, questionnaires, focus groups, market analysis surveys, public opinion polls, literature reviews, and file reviews.
- Prepare and present summaries and analyses of survey data, including tables, graphs, and fact sheets that describe survey techniques and results.
- Consult with clients to identify survey needs and specific requirements, such as special samples.
- Determine and specify details of survey projects, including sources of information, procedures to be used, and the design of survey instruments and materials.
- Support, plan, and coordinate operations for single or multiple surveys.
- Monitor and evaluate survey progress and performance, using sample disposition reports and response rate calculations.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, organizing and persuading work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
- Persuading
- Leading, selling, starting projects, or making a case
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Mathematics
Subjects to know
- English Language
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Mathematics
- Computers and Electronics
- Administration and Management
Useful strengths
- Inductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.5 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 1.8 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.4 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 2.3 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a master's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 50%
- A master's degree 38%
- A doctorate or professional degree 12%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Project management software
- Web platform development software
- Presentation software
- Video conferencing software
- Enterprise application integration software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,080
- Job openings each year
- 160
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- −6.3%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 2,080 | 160 | −6.3% |
| California | 1,200 | 100 | — |
| Maryland | 540 | 50 | 1.9% |
| New York | 420 | 0 | −2.3% |
| Florida | 410 | 40 | 13.9% |
| Illinois | 350 | 30 | −2.8% |
| North Carolina | 330 | 30 | 3.1% |
| Utah | 320 | 30 | 23.1% |
| Connecticut | 300 | 20 | 3.4% |
| Nevada | 300 | 20 | 3.4% |
| Wisconsin | 260 | 20 | 4.0% |
| Oregon | 230 | 20 | 9.5% |
| Colorado | 200 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Iowa | 170 | 10 | — |
| Kansas | 170 | 10 | −10.5% |
| New Jersey | 170 | 10 | −5.6% |
| Massachusetts | 160 | 10 | — |
| Ohio | 160 | 10 | −5.9% |
| Virginia | 160 | 10 | — |
| Michigan | 140 | 10 | −6.7% |
| District of Columbia | 130 | 10 | −7.1% |
| Nebraska | 120 | 10 | — |
| New Mexico | 120 | 10 | — |
| Washington | 120 | 10 | 20.0% |
| Indiana | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Minnesota | 110 | 10 | — |
| Arizona | 90 | 10 | — |
| South Carolina | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Alaska | 60 | 10 | 20.0% |
| South Dakota | 50 | 0 | — |
| Kentucky | 40 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 20 | 0 | — |
| Alabama | 10 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Western Governors University
- Degrees each year
- 2,543
- Admit rate
- Not reported
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 1,031
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Los Angeles
- Degrees each year
- 1,057
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
University of California-Santa Barbara
- Degrees each year
- 1,098
- Admit rate
- 28%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Southern California
- Degrees each year
- 1,417
- Admit rate
- 10%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Degrees each year
- 992
- Admit rate
- 43%
- Annual cost after aid
- $8,000
University of California-Davis
- Degrees each year
- 1,115
- Admit rate
- 42%
- Annual cost after aid
- $12,000
New York University
- Degrees each year
- 953
- Admit rate
- 9%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000